Jean Smart wins the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series for her role as Deborah Vance in “Hacks.”  

This is her fourth career Emmy and her first in 12 years. The Emmy audience welcomed her to the stage with a standing ovation. The victory marks a remarkable career renaissance for Smart.

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She teared up as she thanked her husband of more than 30 years, actor Richard Gilliland, who died six months ago yesterday.

“I would not be here without him, and without his kind of putting his career on the back burner so that I could take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that I’ve had,” Smart said, according to Associated Press inputs.

The 70-year-old actor, previously best known for her role on “Designing Women,” has been a staple of elite TV the past few years, with nominated roles on “Fargo,” “Watchmen” and “Mare of Easttown.”